Councilor for Blantyre City Soche East Ward Leonard Chimbanga has blasted leader of opposition Kondwani Nankhumwa for allegedly supporting the suspension of parliamentary deliberations due to a technical fault.
First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Madalitso Kazombo on Thursday suspended parliament due to what he called a technical problem at Parliament that affected recording of proceedings in the Hansard.
“We have a technical problem coz whatever we are debating is not being recorded in the Hansard and as a matter of protocol we are supposed to record everything that we debate here. So we are going to have an early health break and when the problem is rectified you will be informed. House suspended!”, said Kazombo.
Minutes after the suspension rumours were all over social media claiming that the suspension of the was to do with MCP elections at the party’s headquarters.
Writing on his official facebook page Chimbanga accused Nankhumwa of supporting the suspension.
“I have just learned that the Leader of the Opposition Hon Dr Kondwani Nankhumwa MP who is supposed to be a Member of the DPP today supported a lie by the deputy speaker of Parliament a man I have so much respect for Hon Madalitso Kazombo to suspend Parliament claiming the audio equipment in the house was not working so that they could give way to MCP MPs who wanted to attend some MCP Central Region Chairman elections instead of attending to problems Malawians are facing,” wrote Chimbanga.
He has since called for his resignation as leader of opposition in Parliament.
“How could the Leader of the Opposition abdicate his duties to support MCP party activities? This is a betrayal to the Opposition and Malawians at large. He must apologize and resign he can continue supporting MCP all he wants. This is not time to pretend. If he isn’t comfortable challenging the ruling Party and standing up for poor Malawians the honourable thing to do is follow his heart and support MCP. He is a free citizen and we have an open door policy.
“As for Hon Kazombo you are such a disgrace for suspending Parliament. You don’t deserve the office that you are holding. Do you mean as a party you could not hold your elections over the weekend?” said Chimbanga.
Meanwhile, Nankhumwa is yet to comment on the matter.
